COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces common building technologies. This course is broad in focus and geared toward architecture students. The emphasis of the course is on general principles and their bearing on architectural design. Many of the concepts discussed in this course will be expanded upon in other courses like environmental systems, structures, lighting, and acoustics.

The focus of the course is the interrelationship between the natural environment and buildings with a focus on sustainability. A range of issues bearing on architectural design will also be introduced, specifically site design, ecological and sustainability issues, and passive/active building systems.